Why It's Only Right Brooklyn Hosts Tonight's Mega-Bout

Tonight's mega-bout takes place in the "Mecca" of boxing.Photo by(The author)

From Tyson to Judah, Brooklyn's birthed some of boxing's greatest champions

BROOKLYN, NY — "I'm from where they ball and breed rhyme stars," the Brooklynite Jay-Z once proudly rapped about his beloved borough...

...Indeed, for every Biggie Smalls and Busta Rhymes that BK's birthed for the mic, the Mike... Tysons and Riddick Bowes of the world also came from NYC's biggest borough. In fact, Floyd Patterson and Tyson — history's two youngest heavyweight champions — are both Brooklynites.

Just as Milan is considered the world's "fashion capital," due to the likes of Versace, Armani and countless other iconic Italian fashion designers, Brooklyn similarly deserves to be crowned "boxing's capital."

In short, it's only right the biggest boxing match of the year takes place in the "Borough of Champions."

Prediction for tonight's mega-bout

The undefeated Haney is the clear favorite... for a reason. And that reason boils down to the word "clear."

Haney's clearly the more clear-headed boxer of the two. Garcia's antics and recent meltdowns have some questioning "if this kid's even fit to perform." Ahh, but as Shakespeare once warned:

Though this be madness, yet there is method in't.

Something tells me Garcia's been "putting on" of late. His supposed downing a beer at yesterday's official weigh-in was a calculated move. At least it was in my view. Muhammad Ali used similar tactics against the champion Liston.

Liston, despite being the huge favorite, was spooked by the young, brash Cassius Clay's "crazy behavior."

"Liston thought Ali was a madman going into that fight," recalls Angelo Dundee, Ali's legendary trainer.

Garcia's willingness to fork over $1.5 million — due to weighing 3.2 pounds over the division's limit — was a tactic. A costly one? Sure. Nevertheless — a tactic.

In short, with Garcia's weight advantage coming into tonight's mega-bout, not to mention the psychological edge, don't be surprised if Ryan Garcia pulls off the upset. I wouldn't bet on it, though...